Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax (D) fatally shot his wife before turning the gun on himself in an apparent murder-suicide inside the couple’s Annandale, Virginia, home, according to law enforcement officials.
Authorities said the incident unfolded shortly after midnight Thursday and is being investigated as a domestic-related case tied to an ongoing separation.
Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said officers responded to the residence after one of the couple’s teenage children called 911 from inside the home.
When police arrived, they discovered both Justin Fairfax and his wife, Cerina Fairfax, dead from gunshot wounds.
Investigators confirmed that the children were present during the incident but were not physically harmed.
Officials described the shooting as occurring rapidly with little indication of a prolonged confrontation.
Davis said investigators believe the violence took place within a very short timeframe inside the home, which the couple shared while living separately during divorce proceedings.
Authorities also noted that Fairfax had recently been served legal paperwork related to the pending separation, according to Virginia Mercury.
Police said the couple had been living in different parts of the house while continuing to reside under the same roof.
Investigators previously responded to a domestic-related call in January involving the couple, during which Fairfax accused his wife of assault.
According to CBS News, authorities later reviewed interior surveillance footage and determined the allegation was not supported, and no charges were filed.
Investigators are now examining whether the stress surrounding the divorce contributed to the fatal shooting.
While officials have not identified a single motive, they confirmed the separation process was active and ongoing at the time of the incident.
Evidence collection is continuing at the home, including recovery of the firearm used in the shooting.
Davis described the case as deeply tragic, particularly given the presence of the couple’s children.
He said victim services teams have been assigned to support the surviving family members as they deal with the aftermath.
Officials emphasized that the focus of the investigation has shifted toward understanding the sequence of events leading up to the deaths.
Justin Fairfax served as Virginia’s lieutenant governor from 2018 to 2022, holding office alongside Gov. Ralph Northam. A former federal prosecutor, he entered statewide politics after a legal career in both public service and private practice.
His political career drew national attention in 2019 after two women accused him of sexual assault in separate incidents dating back years. Fairfax denied the allegations, and no criminal charges were filed.
The claims became a major political controversy at the time and followed him through the remainder of his term in office.
Fairfax later completed his term and ran unsuccessfully for governor.
After leaving office, he returned to practicing law, though officials have not provided further details about his most recent professional activity.
Authorities said the investigation into Thursday’s shooting remains active.
Detectives are continuing to process evidence from the residence and interview individuals connected to the family as they work to establish a full timeline of events.
Officials said additional findings will be released following the medical examiner’s report and completion of forensic analysis.
Police have not released further details about the firearm beyond confirming it was used in the incident.
Officials reiterated that their priority remains supporting the couple’s children, who were present during the tragedy and are now receiving assistance through victim support services.
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